Theology Time

I suspect that you could chase a die-hard fundamentalist with a copy of The Beatitudes. I doubt that many would even believe that it was taken from the Bible they claim to love so well. In short, those teachings lie far from accepted Christian dogma for many, some quite prominent, Americans. As the book in question also warns against the futility of serving two masters, one cannot serve the Galilean of The Sermon on the Mount and Ayn Rand, the author of Atlas Shrugged, the modern guide for many conservative brothers and sisters.

This brings us to the study of the next of the “blessings” as espoused on that mount: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

To grasp fully the importance of this, the eighth on the list, it would be instructive to review the past seven. If you remember, the Galilean is reported to have said

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted;

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied;

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy;

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; and

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

So far.

As we contemplate the first seven “blessings,” let’s just imagine what the followers of the current American president would call those who make an honest effort, in their daily lives, to adhere to the words of our beloved Rabbi. Some terms come to mind.

Libtard

Snowflake

Taker

Bleeding heart

Socialist

Do-gooder

Peace dove

Of course, in direct opposition to the current popular term “nationalists,” there is an overarching term for our Beatitudinists. That would be “humanists.” Franklin Graham once said that they are “worse than Communists.” There is a wall somewhere that bears the names of 57,939 Americans who might disagree. They rest in peace among others that we honor this weekend as we hope for no more wars. Yes, the peacemakers these days run the risk of being called “surrender monkeys,” but we accept it. The Galilean would not have it otherwise.

So there we are. Of course, being called names is in no way comparable to being marched off to gas chambers. As we are told from birth, though, mighty oaks from little acorns grow. Maybe the Galilean remembered that long ago on that hill surrounded by crowds of followers. Mighty Oaks are mighty trees that know nothing of their final purpose. Mighty evil is mighty evil. Mighty good is mighty good, even if we receive the condemnation of others for pursuing it.

Maybe this came to mind in a later moment described by Matthew, when a disciple asked the Galilean, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 22:36-40 ESV

I don’t think we’ll see that on Twitter this Memorial Day weekend.